Introducing the CLA Sounding Board: a new way for members to shape our work
In an exciting new initiative, smaller landholders, diversified businesses and underrepresented groups of the CLA’s membership can have their say on our policy direction
With 26,000 members across England and Wales, the CLA represents a broad spectrum of individuals and businesses in the rural economy. To bring a wider range of member voices directly into our policy development and campaigning work, we are launching a new digital-first engagement panel – the CLA Sounding Board.
Who will be part of the group?
The purpose of the CLA Sounding Board is simple: to broaden representation, capture quality real-world insight and create faster, clearer feedback loops between members and our national policy development.
Smaller landholders, diversified businesses and underrepresented groups will have a more visible and influential voice, helping shape the issues we prioritise, the positions we take and the campaigns we run on behalf of rural England and Wales.
Around 500 members will ultimately join the panel, selected to reflect the full breadth of the CLA’s membership by region, business type and scale. A light touch commitment, typically a short survey every month, ensures participation is easy while still producing valuable and timely insight. Members will also receive early access to findings, summaries of emerging trends and ‘you said, we did’ updates that demonstrate how contributions translate into action.
The feedback and insights we receive from the panel will be widely distributed to our external affairs, policy and advice and regional teams, as well as our national officers and committees.
How can members get involved?
We are now inviting expressions of interest from members who want to help shape the future of CLA policy and advocacy in this way. If you would like to take part, please complete our short questionnaire using the link below.
Please note that participation is not open to existing committee members, whose valuable contributions are already embedded in our processes.